This year has been an odd one. Creatively I've made some of my best work, but at the same time, I've accidentally gotten myself caught in a spiral of worry about sharing the work publicly. Cat drawn from photo from @Ctusdw In hindsight, 2018-2019 feels like a (rose tinted glasses) golden era of social media; looking back, me and Insta were firmly on the same side. I drew in my sketchbook on location, tagged
Oh wow, I feel this. Instagram used to be such a joyful place to share work, and now it just feels so icky. I've been enjoying sharing here recently, both in longer posts and recently in Notes too - it feels like how social media used to be. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your sketchbook tours on Patreon even if nowhere else 😍 - and if you figure out the sharing conundrum please do let us know!
We can all benefit from taking time away from social to process and develop (see what I did there?). 😄 if you do decide to open up shop, I’d absolutely love an Emma Carlisle cat print on my wall! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the Patreon pigeon session tomorrow!
Errrrr so this is weird... I emailed a friend about EXACTLY this today. Like... EXACTLY THIS. My work has changed so much in the last few months and I'm loving it, happier than ever but how do I share that online. I don't know so I've stopped and now every time I go back online I can't figure it out and I'm becoming more and more removed from it all. We should zoom and have a cuppa. You know where to find me if you fancy it! Be good to see you xx
So well said. Every person, every artist, has their own process and has to seek their own solutions. The struggle to figure out the next step, I think, is what helps create our inner resolveto keep going. It’s so wonderful that you share your struggle this way. It resonates, I am sure, with everyone. The artwork is exquisite. Thank you for sharing.
Every bit I've gotten to see of your work through Patreon has been so impressive. I feel like I can tell how special this work is, and how unique to you and your journey it is. I can imagine feeling a bit protective (if that's the right word) of it. I have a lot less followers, but I've been feeling so burnt out around getting in this mindset that everything I make needs to be shared, that I'm not really working much. So seeing you full back from social media and finding your voice and fun in the process in 'private' has been really inspiring to see and hear about.
I've just deactivated instagram. I was nodding along with a lot of what you wrote. It IS too loud, and people DO copy. It's less social interaction and more shouting into a gale and producing more and more work at ever faster rates to grab the attention of people with shorter and shorter attention spans. I'm out. It's an online rat race out there, and what do they say about rat races? Even if you win you're still a rat. I'm really liking substack though. It feels genuinely a place for meeting rather than feeding the robots.
It is comforting to read that someone else finds Instagram loud and chaotic, what happened to just posting a photo and a caption and it popping up in a chronologically ordered feed with no ads?! (I may sound about 100 years old saying that🙈). I’m (probably selfishly) so pleased to hear of you posting your work, as I do love to see it. Going out of the comfort zone is important, it’s that balance of far enough to grow but not so far we’re quivering wrecks. Take care 🐱 Ps, as a crazy cat lady, I adore your cat portraits!
I have just joined your Patreon ( and love it) and fell across this post. I absolutely understand about the changes in Instagram...I used to love it and it used to buoy me up posting work, but now it feels very dispiriting and Substack feels so much better. Your cats are a complete delight!
It's amazing how much of an echo your thoughts are (social media/ new work) from my own and other artist's I've talked to. I miss the gentler days of meeting in person and sharing work. The internet is a maelstrom sometimes (ok, often), and it seems like we're all there in - I don't want to say bad faith - but often functioning against our will / nature? Glad to see you're navigating through these thoughts, wonderful of you to share with all of us.
I totally understand what you say about the golden age of social media- I still can't get my head around the fact it isn't like that anymore. I am using it to post my new work which has been a good discipline for me to get into, but it isn't like it used to be...and don't get me started on Twitter. I love the cat paintings!
These cat drawings are just so divine Emma! I love how drawing cats is like a safe space to come back to. That feeling of warmth and joy really comes through! I feel inspired to get back to some cats now. xx
I am not sure exactly what is intended in English as safety blanket, they way I read it as a non english native is like that blanket one puts as emergency, that silvery thing for survival... then I thought maybe is something else you meant. Anyway, these cats are amazingly brave and so glad not with 3 materials only (ahah!!) and when you will decide, they will travel the world !
Hiding Under a Creative Safety Blanket
Oh wow, I feel this. Instagram used to be such a joyful place to share work, and now it just feels so icky. I've been enjoying sharing here recently, both in longer posts and recently in Notes too - it feels like how social media used to be. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your sketchbook tours on Patreon even if nowhere else 😍 - and if you figure out the sharing conundrum please do let us know!
We can all benefit from taking time away from social to process and develop (see what I did there?). 😄 if you do decide to open up shop, I’d absolutely love an Emma Carlisle cat print on my wall! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the Patreon pigeon session tomorrow!
Errrrr so this is weird... I emailed a friend about EXACTLY this today. Like... EXACTLY THIS. My work has changed so much in the last few months and I'm loving it, happier than ever but how do I share that online. I don't know so I've stopped and now every time I go back online I can't figure it out and I'm becoming more and more removed from it all. We should zoom and have a cuppa. You know where to find me if you fancy it! Be good to see you xx
So well said. Every person, every artist, has their own process and has to seek their own solutions. The struggle to figure out the next step, I think, is what helps create our inner resolveto keep going. It’s so wonderful that you share your struggle this way. It resonates, I am sure, with everyone. The artwork is exquisite. Thank you for sharing.
Every bit I've gotten to see of your work through Patreon has been so impressive. I feel like I can tell how special this work is, and how unique to you and your journey it is. I can imagine feeling a bit protective (if that's the right word) of it. I have a lot less followers, but I've been feeling so burnt out around getting in this mindset that everything I make needs to be shared, that I'm not really working much. So seeing you full back from social media and finding your voice and fun in the process in 'private' has been really inspiring to see and hear about.
I've just deactivated instagram. I was nodding along with a lot of what you wrote. It IS too loud, and people DO copy. It's less social interaction and more shouting into a gale and producing more and more work at ever faster rates to grab the attention of people with shorter and shorter attention spans. I'm out. It's an online rat race out there, and what do they say about rat races? Even if you win you're still a rat. I'm really liking substack though. It feels genuinely a place for meeting rather than feeding the robots.
It is comforting to read that someone else finds Instagram loud and chaotic, what happened to just posting a photo and a caption and it popping up in a chronologically ordered feed with no ads?! (I may sound about 100 years old saying that🙈). I’m (probably selfishly) so pleased to hear of you posting your work, as I do love to see it. Going out of the comfort zone is important, it’s that balance of far enough to grow but not so far we’re quivering wrecks. Take care 🐱 Ps, as a crazy cat lady, I adore your cat portraits!
These are beautiful - always love seeing your work 🥰 glad you’re finding a way through - sending hugs
I’m having a social media break and its honestly bliss!
I have just joined your Patreon ( and love it) and fell across this post. I absolutely understand about the changes in Instagram...I used to love it and it used to buoy me up posting work, but now it feels very dispiriting and Substack feels so much better. Your cats are a complete delight!
It's amazing how much of an echo your thoughts are (social media/ new work) from my own and other artist's I've talked to. I miss the gentler days of meeting in person and sharing work. The internet is a maelstrom sometimes (ok, often), and it seems like we're all there in - I don't want to say bad faith - but often functioning against our will / nature? Glad to see you're navigating through these thoughts, wonderful of you to share with all of us.
I totally understand what you say about the golden age of social media- I still can't get my head around the fact it isn't like that anymore. I am using it to post my new work which has been a good discipline for me to get into, but it isn't like it used to be...and don't get me started on Twitter. I love the cat paintings!
Resonates a lot with me too Emma! Thanks for writing about it. xx
These cat drawings are just so divine Emma! I love how drawing cats is like a safe space to come back to. That feeling of warmth and joy really comes through! I feel inspired to get back to some cats now. xx
Your Patreon is the most mentioned/ referenced group in all the artists I follow. I will be joining you one day !!!
I am not sure exactly what is intended in English as safety blanket, they way I read it as a non english native is like that blanket one puts as emergency, that silvery thing for survival... then I thought maybe is something else you meant. Anyway, these cats are amazingly brave and so glad not with 3 materials only (ahah!!) and when you will decide, they will travel the world !